It was getting late when Cleopatra's car stopped in front of a modest house on the outskirts of the city. Far different from her luxurious penthouse filled with extravagance, this house appeared much smaller, with aging brick walls and a small front yard that looked simple yet clean.

Louis let out a quiet sigh, staring at the house with a mix of emotions before turning to Cleopatra, who was still seated behind the wheel.


"I need to go inside for a moment," he said softly.

Cleopatra simply raised an eyebrow. "And I should wait here?"

Louis exhaled. "No. I want you to come in for a bit. I need to say goodbye to my mother."


Cleopatra stared at Louis for a few seconds before finally shrugging casually. "Alright. I won't bite, Toreto."

Louis wasn't so sure about that, but he had no other choice. He got out of the car and walked toward the front door, while Cleopatra followed him with an elegant stride that didn't quite match the surroundings.


As soon as the door opened, Linda Toreto, a middle-aged woman with a gentle face and kind eyes, appeared from inside. Her smile widened at the sight of her son.

"Louis, you're home late," she said before noticing the other woman behind him. "Oh... and you brought a guest."

Louis cleared his throat, slightly awkward. "Mom, this is Cleopatra Thompson. My boss."

Linda blinked a few times before offering a warm smile. "Ah, Miss Cleopatra. Please come in, our home is simple, but I'll prepare some tea."

Cleopatra observed her for a moment, then gave a small smile. "Thank you, but I won't stay long."

As they stepped inside, Louis gestured toward the modest living room sofa. "Have a seat for a moment."

Cleopatra walked in and sat down gracefully, though it was obvious that this environment was vastly different from her world. However, to Louis' surprise, Cleopatra didn't say anything about the house's condition. No comments about the plain decor, no condescending looks. She just sat there with elegance and confidence, as if this place was no different from the luxurious rooms she was used to.

Louis turned to his mother, rubbing the back of his neck with slight discomfort. "Mom, there's something I need to talk about."

Linda set down the teapot she had just lifted and looked at her son calmly. "What is it, son?"

Louis took a deep breath. "I... might not be staying in this house for a while."

Linda frowned. "What do you mean?"

Louis glanced briefly at Cleopatra before looking back at his mother. "I've been assigned by my boss to stay in her penthouse. It's part of... company policy."

Linda was silent for a moment, her eyes carefully observing her son's expression. Then, with a long sigh, she nodded.

"Alright, son. I won't stop you. If this is part of your job, all I can do is wish you the best."

Louis felt a bit relieved, though something in his mother's tone made his chest tighten slightly. "Mom, I want you to take care of yourself, okay? Don't forget to eat, don't overwork yourself."

Linda gave a soft smile. "I always take care of myself, Louis. But you also have to take care of yourself. The world out there isn't as kind as you think."

Louis nodded slowly before finally pulling his mother into a tight embrace. Cleopatra, who had remained silent all this time, watched the moment from a distance. There was something about the way Linda hugged her son that made Cleopatra pause for a moment.

This relationship... was so genuine. So different from what she had experienced in her own family.

She leaned back on the sofa, her eyes following Linda as she gently rubbed Louis' back before finally whispering, "Be a good man, Louis. Never change."

Louis only nodded, swallowing the lump forming in his throat.

After a few minutes, Linda finally released her embrace. She turned to Cleopatra and smiled. "Take care of my son, Miss Cleopatra."

Cleopatra gave a faint smile, then nodded. "Don't worry, Ma'am. I'll look after him."

Linda chuckled softly. "Ah, I have a feeling you need someone to take care of you more than the other way around."

Cleopatra flinched slightly before eventually letting out a quiet laugh, something that rarely happened.

Louis could only take a deep breath. "Alright, Mom. I have to go now."

Linda nodded, and with a loving gaze, she accompanied her son to the door. As Louis stepped out with Cleopatra, he turned back one last time, seeing his mother standing at the doorway with a warm yet slightly wistful smile.

Cleopatra remained silent throughout the ride back to the car. But as soon as Louis got in and started the engine, she glanced at him.

"You have an amazing mother."

Louis turned to her, slightly surprised. "You just realized that?"

Cleopatra smirked slightly. "I just didn't expect you to have such a warm relationship."

Louis looked at Cleopatra for a few seconds, then gave a small smile. "Not all families are like yours, Cleo."

Cleopatra just let out a quiet sigh before shifting her gaze outside the window.

"Yeah... I know."

And with that, their car drove off, taking Louis toward his new life—and toward more of Cleopatra's traps waiting for him in the penthouse.

Louis was still standing at the doorway, ready to leave when Cleopatra suddenly spoke in a dangerously casual tone.

"If Louis stays with me, I'll pay off all your debts and your mother's."

The once warm and affectionate living room turned silent in an instant.

Louis was stunned. He never expected Cleopatra to say something like that—just like that, without warning. As if his family's debts were just insignificant numbers on her financial report.

He slowly turned to Cleopatra, searching for any sign of seriousness on her face. But Cleopatra only leaned back on the sofa, casually playing with the tip of her nail with an indifferent expression.

"I... I never expected this. Am I truly indebted to her now?" Louis thought, his eyes still locked on Cleopatra.

Linda, who had been standing by the door, now covered her mouth with one hand. Her eyes glistened with tears, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"Is that true, Miss Cleopatra?" Linda's voice was soft, filled with both hope and doubt.

Cleopatra turned to the woman, her smile still mysterious. "Of course. I wouldn't say something I couldn't fulfill."

Linda let out a relieved sigh, her eyes welling up. "I... I don't know what to say. This is too kind..."

Louis still couldn't process this reality so easily. He shook his head quickly, trying to clear his thoughts.

"I... I can't just accept this, Cleo," he finally said, his voice uncertain. "This is too much. I can't let someone else bear my burden."

Cleopatra stared at Louis for a moment before reclining on the sofa casually.

"You don't have to pay with money," she finally said, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I just want something more... interesting."

Louis immediately sensed something was wrong.

His eyes narrowed, trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind Cleopatra's words. "What do you mean?"

Cleopatra smirked slightly, enjoying Louis' confusion. She whispered in his ear.

"You stay with me, play your role as my fiancé more seriously, and follow all my requests without too many questions," she said, raising an eyebrow arrogantly. "In return, I'll pay off all your debts."

Louis fell silent, trying to process what had just happened.

"So... you're buying me?" his voice was flat, but there was tension in it.

Cleopatra chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You make it sound so bad, Toreto. I'm just offering the best solution for both of us."

Louis rubbed his face, feeling trapped in Cleopatra's game that he couldn't win.

Cleopatra watched the mother and son's interaction with an unreadable expression. There was something about their bond that felt... unfamiliar to her. Warm. Genuine. Something she rarely experienced in her own life.

But she didn't let herself get distracted for too long.

"You can refuse if you want," she finally said, her voice slightly softer. "But this offer won't come twice."

Louis took a deep breath, feeling his chest tighten. Cleopatra never did anything without a reason. That woman must have had another plan behind all of this.

But did he really have another choice?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Louis stared deeply into Cleopatra's eyes.

"I will accept your help… but I will find a way to pay it back."

Cleopatra smirked slyly, then nodded in satisfaction. "We'll see about that, Toreto."

Louis knew that answer wasn't as simple as it seemed. There was something much bigger hidden behind Cleopatra's smile.

And he had to be ready for whatever was coming.

The night sky above the city looked dark as Cleopatra's car cruised slowly along the now-quiet streets. The streetlights cast a yellowish glow onto the sidewalks, creating long shadows in the windows of the luxurious car.

Inside, Louis sat in silence, staring at Cleopatra with a serious expression. His mind was still processing everything that had just happened.

Cleopatra had just offered to pay off his family's entire debt. And crazier than that, he had agreed to stay in her penthouse.

Louis took a deep breath before finally speaking. "I don't know how to repay you."

Cleopatra, steering the car with one hand, turned slightly toward him with a meaningful smile. "You can pay me back, but not with money."

Louis frowned, feeling more uneasy with the way Cleopatra said that. "Then with what?"

Cleopatra didn't answer right away. Instead, she kept her eyes on the road ahead, her smile remaining mysterious.

After a few long seconds, Cleopatra finally said, "By obeying all my requests. No refusals, Toreto."

Louis immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

He leaned back in his seat cautiously. "Don't tell me this is some kind of devil's contract..."

Cleopatra chuckled, her voice sounding sweet but also dangerous. "No, just a contract between a fake fiancé."

Louis rubbed his temples, feeling his headache worsen. "I really fell into your trap, didn't I?"

Cleopatra raised an eyebrow, keeping her eyes forward. "Oh, Toreto. I never trap anyone. I simply present choices that are hard to refuse."

Louis shook his head, looking at her in disbelief. "So, I can't refuse your requests at all?"

Cleopatra sighed dramatically, then glanced at him. "You can, but you won't."

Louis frowned. "Why are you so sure?"

Cleopatra smirked, casually resting one hand on the headrest while continuing to steer with the other.

"Because you're not the type of man who can accept help without feeling indebted," she said confidently. "And I just need to make sure you pay me back with something more valuable than money."

Louis swallowed hard, feeling his chest tighten even more. "So, you want me to be… your personal servant?"

Cleopatra let out a small laugh, her voice lighter this time. "Not a servant, Toreto. I just want you… to get used to me."

Louis frowned. "Get used to you?"

Cleopatra nodded slowly. "Yes. Get used to living in my world. Get used to the way I work, the way I take control. Get used to… me."

Louis felt like there was something deeper in Cleopatra's words, but he couldn't quite figure it out.

He sighed and leaned his head against the car window, watching the city lights blur past.

(Inner monologue Louis) "I am completely trapped in Cleopatra's world of traps."

After a brief silence, Louis finally asked in a softer voice, "What is your real plan, Cleo?"

Cleopatra glanced at him briefly, then gave a faint smile. "My plan?"

Louis nodded. "Yes. I know you never do anything without a reason. I just want to know… why me?"

Cleopatra was silent for a moment, as if choosing her words carefully.

Then, in a quieter voice, she said, "Because you're different, Louis."

Louis looked at her, waiting for further explanation, but Cleopatra only smiled faintly and turned her focus back to the road.

"And I want to see… how long you can last with me."

Louis closed his eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the strange feeling rising in his chest. But one thing he knew for sure—

Tonight was just the beginning of something much bigger.

________________________________________

Cleopatra's penthouse door slowly opened, allowing Louis to step into the vast and luxurious space. The dim lights illuminated the modern interior, which felt too elegant for him. Louis felt slightly dizzy from drinking too much wine at dinner earlier, his head starting to feel heavy.

He took a deep breath and rubbed his temples. "Why did I let myself get dragged into this mess?" he thought.

Cleopatra walked ahead of him, casually slipping off her high heels before stretching her body. She looked relaxed, as if this was just another ordinary night for her.

"I'll go change first," she said lightly, then glanced at Louis with a teasing expression. "Don't go anywhere."

Louis could only nod faintly before Cleopatra disappeared into her room.

With his head still feeling heavy, Louis exhaled and walked around the penthouse. He was looking for the guest room, hoping to lie down and let his head rest.

But just as he was about to pass the hallway leading to the guest room, his steps halted abruptly.

Cleopatra reappeared.

Louis froze in place.

She was now wearing a thin satin nightgown—almost transparent, revealing the silhouette of her body clearly. Her long hair flowed freely, adding to the effortless sensuality of her appearance. She stepped closer to Louis, a playful smile still adorning her lips.

Louis swallowed hard. His blood rushed, but he forced himself to stay focused.

Cleopatra leaned against the wall, watching him with a teasing gaze. "You look stiff, Toreto," she said casually.

Louis cleared his throat, trying to look away. "I was just… looking for the guest room."

Cleopatra raised an eyebrow before smirking. "Oh? Aren't you curious where you'll be sleeping tonight?"

Louis looked at her warily. "I think I already know the answer."

Cleopatra chuckled softly, then stepped closer, erasing the space between them.

"You can sleep in the room next to mine," she said, her voice too casual for the situation. "Or…"

She stopped right in front of him, her gaze smoldering with mischief.

"...You can sleep with me."

Louis held his breath.

Cleopatra tilted her head slightly, her smile growing more mischievous. "My door will always be open for you, Toreto."

Louis remained frozen in place.

"I have to resist. I have to resist."

Cleopatra seemed to enjoy his flustered expression. Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction, like a predator who had just cornered its prey.

Louis quickly shook his head and looked away. "I… I'll sleep in the guest room."

Cleopatra stared at him for a long moment, then let out a dramatic sigh of disappointment. "Really? I even prepared a comfortable bed for you…"

Louis raised a hand, stopping her teasing. "I've made my decision."

Cleopatra only smiled knowingly, then slowly turned around, letting the sheer fabric of her nightgown flutter slightly as she walked back to her room.

When she reached the door, she paused and glanced back at him. Her gaze was still the same—filled with temptation and challenge.

"If you change your mind…" she whispered, "You know where to find me."

Then, with a graceful movement, she stepped into her room and left the door half-open, just enough for the dim light inside to spill into the hallway.

Louis stood there for a few seconds before finally taking a long breath and walking toward the sofa in the living room.

He collapsed onto the couch, knowing he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully tonight.

"What does she really want from me?"

He closed his eyes, but the image of Cleopatra in her nightgown lingered in his mind.

One thing was certain.

Cleopatra wouldn't stop until he completely fell into her trap.